KING COTTON 



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AN 

ALLEGORICAL 

PAGEANT 


HAYWOOD Jv PEARCE 
President of Brenau College 


Copyrighted 1920 by H. J. Pearce. All Rights of Pro¬ 
duction and Adaptation to Moving Pictures Reserved. 

































©CIA601741 


NOV 29 1920 






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KING COTTON 

AN ALLEGORICAL PAGEANT 


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HAYWOOD J. PEARCE, President , of Brenau College 


Prologue 


Act 1 The Court of King Cotton. 
Act II The Garden of the King. 
Act III The Court of King Cotton. 


iramatis p^rsmta? 

KING COTTON. 

QUEEN DIXIE. 

Princess Prosperity (their daughter). 

Lord Tenant System (Prime Minister). 

Lord Single Crop (his son). 

Diversification (an ill treated prince now in disguise). 
Boll Weevil (an evil genius). 

Speculation (a fool). 

Captain of the Royal Guard. 

Lords: Cotton Seed, Cotton Seed Meal, Cotton Seed Hulls, 
Cotton Seed Oil; Mr. Pro Duce More (Fertilizer). 
Ladies : Maryland, Virginia, etc. 

A Chemist, Bacteriologist, Pages, Dancers, Farmers, 
Negroes, etc. 




(The Prologue and First Act take place on a terrace in front of 
the Royal Palace. The throne of King Cotton has been 
erected in the rear center of the scene.) 

PROLOGUE 

Herald: Greeting, good people, and a message from the King 
who rules this section in which you live. 

I come from the good King Cotton who directs me to say 
that at the sound of the next bugle he will hold his court in 
this place and receive the petitions and hear the requests of 
any loyal subjects who desire to have an audience with him. 

He will be accompanied by his noble consort, Queen Dixie, 
her daughter. Princess Prosperity, and all her ladies in 
waiting, viz., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, 
Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and 
Arkansas, who, together with the princes of the realm, 
Lords Cotton Seed, Cotton Seed Meal, Cotton Seed Hulls, 
Cotton Seed Oil, Mr. Pro Duce More, and others, will review 
all those companies of loyal men and women who during 
the past year have devoted themselves particularly to the 
service of his royal highness. 

His Majesty will also receive the representatives of the 
great nations of the earth who desire to seek his aid in their 
various enterprises. 

In the meantime the Dance of the Cotton Planters. 

(Dance of the Cotton Planters.) 

(The bugle sounds.) 


Herald: Give heed, good people! The mighty ruler, the royal 
benefactor, the best loved product of the South approaches. 
Behold! The King! 


KING COTTON 


ACT I 
Scene 1 

(The King, with his retinue, advances and seats himself upon the 
throne, with Queen Dixie and her daughter, Princess 
Prosperity, at her side, and her ladies in waiting, pages, etc., 
appropriately grouped.) 

King Cotton : Greeting to our loyal subjects, and good health 
and prosperity. We rejoice at this period of our annual 
visitation to find so many of our loyal subjects present, and 
each shall have his opportunity to present himself before 
our royal throne. 

But good courtesy requires that we shall first receive 
those representatives of other powers who seek our royal 
favor. 

Let the royal visitors from afar be admitted to our 
presence. 

(The bugle sounds, and escorted by court attendants, 
Uncle Sam and his attendants approach the throne.) 

The King: Welcome to our court, Uncle Sam. You do us much 
honor by your presence on this auspicious occasion. We 
have heard with much pleasure the report of your increas¬ 
ing wealth and fame and prestige among the great peoples 
of the earth. It has been a source of gratification that we 
have been able to place at your disposal so much of our re¬ 
sources, and that you have been able to use them so well. 
Speak—what further favor do you seek at our hands? 

Uncle Sam : Sire, I come at the behest of the American people, 
first of all to thank you in their behalf for your bounty and 


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generosity in the past. By this means largely we have been 
able to take an important part in the great world war for 
the liberties of mankind. You have furnished the basis for 
the mighty explosives which were used; you have furnished 
the wings upon which the air men have carried their mes¬ 
sages of death and destruction to the enemy; you have 
sheltered our soldiers in your tents, and clothed them against 
the wintry blasts. The money which you have furnished 
has helped to build our ships, to forge our arms and equip 
our soldiers for our great enterprise abroad. Our people 
who have stayed at home have been no less blessed by your 
bounty in the opportunities which you have offered for use¬ 
ful and profitable labor and in the comforts which you have 
provided for every home. 

In behalf of my own people therefore, and in behalf of the 
other nations here present who have authorized me to speak 
for them, I again thank you for these bounties of the past. 

King Cotton : Well said, Uncle Sam, and very graciously said. 
It has been our royal pleasure to do the things of which 
you have so eloqently spoken, and we find our reward suf¬ 
ficient in the appreciation which you have expressed. What 
is your further wish? 

Uncle Sam : Your most gracious Majesty, we recognize in you 
the most noble and generous and withal the most powerful 
monarch on earth. Not only in times of war is your help 
needed, but even more in the blessed years of peace. It is 
your bounty which supplies the swaddling clothes for the 
tiny infant, and during every day of life from the cradle to 
the grave man must look to you for many of his comforts 
and conveniences. The clothes that he wears, the paper on 
which he transacts his business and records his deeds, the 
bed upon which he spends nearly a third of his life, and a 
hundred other comforts upon which he has learned to de¬ 
pend, are derived largely through your bounty and gene¬ 
rosity. And finally when he comes to enter upon the long 
sleep of death, it is again your generosity which provides 
the drapery for his couch, the pillow for his head and the 
garment in which the gentle hands of friends and relatives 
enshroud him for that long sleep. 


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In the preparation of these comforts and necessities of 
life you have provided a means of support for millions of 
people in our own country and in every great nation of 
Earth. The industrial communities which you have founded 
are the happiest and best cared for communities of in¬ 
dustry in the world and not only the happiness but the very 
life itself of millions of people is dependent upon the con¬ 
tinuance of your bounty and generosity. 

King Cotton : It indeed affords us pleasure to hear such fine 
words of praise from the great nations of Earth. We take 
with satisfaction the part that is our due, but would not 
forget to direct your attention to the fact that, after all, the 
blessings which you have detailed are derived from the 
Great Ruler of the Universe—the giver of all good, with¬ 
out whose help and good providence our poor efforts would 
be vain indeed. With the continued blessings of this divine 
providence, it shall be our pleasure to continue our efforts 
in behalf of the great nations and of humanity. 

(The bugle sounds.) 

Herald : Great Britain! 

(John Bull and attendants enter.) 

Uncle Sam : And now, your Majesty, let me present John Bull, 
the representative of Great Britain, which next to our own 
country has been the recipient of your greatest bounty. 

(John Bull advances and bows.) 

King Cotton: A hearty welcome, John Bull, to the realm of 
King Cotton. We have heard of your wealth and power and 
of the noble part which you have taken in the great enter¬ 
prise of humanity. 

John Bull : Your most gracious Majesty, I bring you greeting 
and warm thanks from the people of Great Britain, and 
beseech a continuance of your royal favor. 

(The bugle sounds.) 


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Herald: France! 


(France and attendants enter.) 

Uncle Sam : Your Majesty, I present France whose valor and 
service to humanity are already so well known to you. 

King Cotton : Indeed it is, and a right hearty welcome do we 
extend the representative of such a chivalrous people. May 
the lilies bloom ever more gloriously upon the fields of 
France made forever sacred by the valiant dead who sleep 
beneath her soil. 

France : I am deeply touched, most noble King, by your gener¬ 
ous tribute and my people have been greatly blessed by your 
generous contribution to our welfare. We thank you and 
pray for a continuance of your royal favor. 

(Without further words Uncle Sam presents each of the 
foreign representatives as they are announced by the Herald 
and enter to the National air.) 


Scene 2 

(A messenger rushes in and presents himself before the throne.) 

King Cotton: Speak, Messenger, what tidings do you bring? 

Messenger: Your Majesty, an enemy has been discovered in 
the realm. He has already destroyed many of your sub¬ 
jects, and has threatened to attack your royal person. 

(The King and ladies of the Court start in dismay.) 

King Cotton : Who is this enemy and whence does he come? 

Messenger: His name is Boll Weevil, but whence he comes, 
and the exact method of his attack no one knows. 

King Cotton: Let the Commander of the Royal Guard, and 
the Chief Scientists of the realm be brought into our 
presence. 


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(The trumpet sounds and Commander of the Guard, a 
ridiculous figure and a Chemist and a Bacteriologist appear 
before the throne.) 

King Cotton : Commander of the Royal Guard, we are in¬ 
formed that a desperate enemy has invaded our realm and 
threatens to attack our royal person. You will seize this 
scoundrel and bring him into our presence that he may re¬ 
ceive the sentence which his infamy deserves. 

You will take with you these men of Science that they 
may determine his method of attack, whether it be by poison 
gas, or infectious bacteria, and take such measures as may 
be necessary to protect our royal person. 

(The Commander and men of Science bow and disappear.) 


Speculation : A lack a day 
Hear I pray! 

When in trouble 
Blow a bubble; 

What goes up 
Must come down. 

Kings can sup, 

Why should they frown ? 

King Cotton : What meanest thou, fool ? 


Speculation : Nothing risked, nothing won; 

Sire, the fun has just begun. 

When you die, 

Then I eat pie 

And all the world goes merrily. 

King Cotton : Out of my sight, you impudent scoundrel. 


(The fool rushes out, mocking and pursued by some of 
the attendants.) 

Queen Dixie: My lord, why dost thou allow this fool in thy 
court? His impudence is insufferable. 

King Cotton : Alas, my dear, the members of my court must 
have something to divert them, and this poor fool is some¬ 
times diverting, though oft his cunning hath a venomous 
sting. 


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Scene 3 


(The King, greatly troubled, is in deep thought, walking up and 
down. The Queen comforts her daughter, Princess Pros¬ 
perity, who is greatly frightened.) 

Queen Dixie: Do not be alarmed, my child. His Majesty the 
King, your father and my lord, cannot be harmed, and he 
and his loyal subjects can protect us all. 

King Cotton : I trust thou art right, my noble Queen. But I 
am greatly troubled concerning this new report of mis¬ 
fortune in our realm. 

(Enter Lord Tenant System, the Prime Minister, accom¬ 
panied by his son, Lord Single Crop.) 

Tenant System : Your Majesty, I have but now heard the evil 
tidings concerning this vicious monster, Boll Weevil, and I 
have hastened to assure your Majesty that proper steps are 
being taken to capture or destroy the creature. 

King Cotton : Your efforts, my Lord Tenant System, are some¬ 
what delayed. We have already ourselves dispatched the 
Commander of the Guard and our men of Science on this 
errand, but all our forces seem to be required and if through 
your efforts the evil creature is destroyed you may obtain 
our royal pardon for your error in failing to make adequate 
defense on our frontiers against such an incursion. Would 
that our old friend and former Prime Minister, Diversifica¬ 
tion, were alive. He would have prevented this creature 
from crossing our borders. 

Tenant System ( much cast down) : I pray your Majesty will 
not judge me too harshly, but come with me into the royal 
treasury that I may show you some of the results of my 
administration. 

King Cotton : Let us go at once. We would divert our mind 
from these evil forebodings. 

(Exeunt King, Lord Tenant System and several attendants.) 


(Upon his entrance, Lord Single Crop has approached Princess 
Prosperity, and they have withdrawn a little aside, and ap¬ 
pear to be in conversation, he appealingly and she coldly.) 

Princess Prosperity : Nay, My Lord, Single Crop may woo 
but ne’er can wed Prosperity. Thou art comely enough in 
fair weather, but very sad in foul. I like thee well at high 
noon, but thou art oft bedraggled in the afternoon and I 
fear me thou wouldst cut a sorry figure in the shadows of 
the early dawn. 

Single Crop: Be not so cruel, noble Princess, nor treat my 
ardent wooing with /such light disdain. 

Princess Prosperity : Thy wooing is like thy physiognomy, 
my lord, very monotonous. 

(The fool.has reentered stealthily and has stolen unob¬ 
served behind the young couple.) 

Speculation : Poor Single Crop, Goes hippity-hop. Come, let 
us dance! Come, take a chance! Such poor temerity will 
ne’er enhance Princess Prosperity. 

(The fool, mocking, runs out pursued by Lord Single Crop, 
and all the ladies and attendants follow.) 


ACT II 
Scene 1 

(Italian Garden—Dance of the Cotton Choppers.) 

(Boll Weevil — figure of the devil with numerous antennae — 
appears, slinking behind the shrubs and in different parts of 
the garden. The Commander of the Guard with gun, the 
Chemist with insect spray and the Bacteriologist with net 
are seen searching and making absurd efforts to capture 
him. He always escapes and mysteriously disappears, ap¬ 
pearing again in a different place.) 


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(The Queen , Princess Prosperity and ladies also promenade in 
the garden and are greatly affrighted at the appearance of 
Boll Weevil, who again escapes, despite the efforts of the 
Commander of the Guard.) 


Scene 2 

(Princess Prosperity becomes separated from her party, and 
meets Diversification, a noble looking youth, but poorly clad 
in farmer's garb.) 

Princess Prosperity: Oh, sir, have you seen this dreadful 
creature, Boll Weevil? I am so affrighted lest he destroy 
me. 

Diversification : Fear not, noble lady, I will protect thee. 

Princess Prosperity: Oh, thank you; but are you not afraid 
also? 

Diversification: No, noble lady, I fear neither beast nor de¬ 
mon. My arms are strong and I have met and conquered all 
manner of beasts with this simple blade ( showing a grass 
hook or small scythe). 

Princess Prosperity: What is thy name? 

Diversification : My name, noble lady, is Diversification. 

Princess Prosperity : And dost thou live in the realm of King 
Cotton ? 

Diversification : I was born here, noble lady, and my father 
before me. My father was a prince of the realm, but in my 
early youth he was secretly slain by an evil genius whose 
name was Tenant System. Thanks to a faithful nurse I 
escaped to wander in foreign lands. There I have con¬ 
tended against all manner of beasts and of evil men. I 
have passed through dreadful wars and have been in the 
midst of plague and of pestilence. 

Princess Prosperity : Alas, poor youth, how you must have 
suffered! 


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Diversification : It is true, noble lady, and yet I have learned 
that it is suffering and disappointment that make us strong. 
My trials have been many, but I hope the experiences 
through which I have passed have the better prepared me to 
render useful service to the Good King Cotton who was my 
father’s,friend. 

Princess Prosperity : Do come with me to my father. I am 
sure he will rejoice to welcome you to his realm, and that 
he will speedily restore you to the noble position which is 
yours by inheritance. 

Diversification : Not yet, noble lady, for I have also learned 
that service is the only genuine patent of nobility in the 
world, and until I have rendered your noble father some 
service which shall command his favor, I shall ask no favor 
at his or any man’s hands. 

Princess Prosperity : I perceive that you are not like other 
men whom I have known, who constantly seek my father’s 
favor. 

Diversification : I am like them only, dear lady, in the re¬ 
spect and homage which I feel for your royal highness. 

(Enter Prince Single Crop (a fop), accompanied by 
several ladies in waiting.) 

Single Crop : Your royal highness, we have sought you every¬ 
where. Has this fellow annoyed you? 

Princess Prosperity: No, indeed, my lord. I fled from the 
dreadful Boll Weevil, and this kind man offered me his 
protection. 

Single Crop: Well done, good man; take this money ( tosses 
him some coin, which Diversification allows to fall on the 
ground, keeping his eyes fixed upon the Princess). And 
now, your highness, since I am here you need no longer 
fear. Pray let me escort you to your mother, after which 
I shall return and destroy this dreadful creature which has 
affrighted you. 

(The Princess allows herself to be led away, casting 
glances at Diversification, who looks longingly after her a 
moment and disappears.) 


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Scene 3 


(Speculation enters leading a little lamb by a strmg.) 

Speculation: Silly, silly, ba-a, ba-a, 

Billy, Billy, Bo; 

Come along baby, 

Stand in a row. 

What do you think I am, Bo? 

Where do you think we’re going? 

We’re going to the slaughter pen; 

Hippity, heppity, ho! 

(As they move on, a bear blocks the way.) 

Speculation: Jeeminy, Jeminy, look at the beast; 

Billy, oh Billy, oh what a feast. 

(He turns and runs with the lamb in the other direction, when 
a bull appears.) 

Speculation : Better is worse, 

And good is bad; 

Run like the devil, 

Poor Billy, my lad. 

(Rushes between and escapes with the lamb while the Bear and 
the Bull meet and dance and roll over together on the ground 
in great glee.) 


ACT III 
Scene 1 

(Throne Scene—Dance of the Cotton Pickers—King Cotton and 
his retinue again appear.) 

King Cotton : We are greatly disturbed at the reports of the 
damage wrought in our realm by this vicious monster, Boll 


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Weevil. Our royal guard and our men of science have made 
fruitless efforts to apprehend and bring him to justice. He 
has appeared even in the royal garden and has horribly 
affrighted our Queen and her noble ladies. 

Hear, therefore, all my loyal people, this proclamation: 
We will reward any valiant subject who destroys this 
monster by granting any request, even to the half of our 
Kingdom. 

Lord Cotton Seed: Your most gracious Majesty, I and the 
other members of your royal court have decided after con¬ 
sulting together to offer you all of our resources in order 
that sufficient means may be provided to prosecute the war 
against this vicious intruder into the royal realm. 

King Cotton : We thank you, noble friends, for this generous 
offer, and it is gratefully accepted. Our Prime Minister 
has but recently explained for our comfort what our own 
resources are: The total of these for the year 1919 are 
$1,200,000,000, and while this amount in ordinary times 
is quite sufficient for all of the needs of our realm, we fear 
that in this troubled period our needs will far out run our 
private resources. 

What amount, Lord Cotton Seed, may we count upon from 
you and our other loyal and generous friends ? 

Lord Cotton Seed: We have already consulted our men of 
finance, sire, and they have tabulated for us the following 
report, based upon the value of our products during the last 
fiscal year: 

Cotton Seed $340,470,000 Cotton Seed Hulls $ 11,095,000 

Cotton Seed Meal $119,030,000 Cotton Seed Oil $209,688,000 

And in addition to these, your Majesty, our noble friend, 
Mr. Pro Duce More, desires to place at your disposal the 
sum of $250,000,000, which has been paid him as salary 
for producing crops in your realm during the last year. 
The experiment station reports show that the average profit 
made through his efforts in increasing yields, amounts to 
approximately 250 per cent. 


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King Cotton : We are deeply touched by this renewed evidence 
of the loyalty of our noble friends. We are likewise highly 
gratified to know that you have prospered so well in our 
kingdom. It is only yesterday, good friend Cotton Seed, 
since thou wert poor and unknown, and by thine own 
merit thou hast become one of the greatest factors in our 
kingdom, contributing much to our wealth and blessing and 
enriching all who have dealings with thee. 

And so likewise our friends Hulls, Meal and Oil. What 
wonderful development has marked their short careers, and 
not only we, but our entire population owe them a debt we 
can never repay, but which must increase with the coming 
years. 

And then our friend, Mr. Pro Duce More, what a friend in 
need is he! We have long since learned to lean upon him 
for help in every difficulty. May his strength ne’er grow 
less. 

{Suddenly in the distance is seen Princess Prosperity 
fleeing, closely pursued by Boll Weevil. He has pursued her 
nearly to the throne—the crowd looking on in horror, when 
out from the people rushes a noble looking youth, clad as a 
farmer, who attacks Boll Weevil with a grass blade, and 
after a struggle, pins him to the earth.) 

{The crowd now gathers around the pair.) 

King Cotton : Speak, Youth, what is thy name, and what thy 
greatest desire, for it is our royal will that thou shalt be 
abundantly rewarded for thy valiant defense of our beloved 
Princess. 

The Youth : My name, sire, is Diversification, and your most 
loyal subject, whose chief desire is to destroy not only this 
vicious beast but all other enemies of your gracious 
Majesty. 

King Cotton : Nobly done and nobly said, Diversification, but 
we shall not be content until we have fittingly rewarded 
this valorous exploit. Speak; what in all our realm wouldst 
thou have? 


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Diversification : Sire, there is in all your realm only one ob¬ 
ject which could completely satisfy my desire, and if I but 
dared hope that I have found favor in her sight, I would 
dare even your royal displeasure by suing for her hand. 

(He advances toward Prosperity and kneels before her.) 

King Cotton: What say you, daughter? Our royal word has 
been given. What sayest thine own heart? 

(Prosperity takes Diversification by the hand, he rises 
and embraces her. The farmer’s garb, in some mysterious 
or magical manner, falls from Diversification and he stands 
revealed as a handsome prince .) 

King Cotton : What magic wand hath wrought this wondrous 
charm ? 

Prince Diversification : The magic of love and service, your 
Majesty; for he who serves well must be moved by a great 
love, and every great love finds its expression in service; 
and these twain by an alchemy which no other can imitate 
transform the lowliest in your Majesty’s dominion into the 
noblest prince. 

King Cotton : Words fitly spoken, my dear Prince, and “like 
apples of gold in pictures of silver.” 

But explain thyself more fully. Art thou a kinsman of 
that noble Prince Diversification who was long my dearest 
friend and most trusted prime minister? 

Prince Diversification: Even so, Your Majesty, his only son. 

King Cotton: Is it possible? But circumstantial reports of 
thy death and that of thy noble father in a terrible accident 
were made to us these many years agone. 

Prince Diversification: These reports, your Majesty, were 
false. My noble father was secretly slain by Lord Tenant 
System, your present Prime Minister, and I escaped a similar 
fate only through the faithfulness of my old nurse, who 
fled with me to foreign lands. There under her tender 
ministrations I grew to be a man, and have learned from 
her the full story of my father’s fate and the infamy of his 
murderer. 


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{Lord Tenant System, who has appeared very uneasy, 
now begins to edge away from the crowd.) 

King Cotton: Ho, Captain of the Guard, arrest this foul 
murderer. 


{The Captain of the Guard, after a short chase, arrests 
Lord Tenant System and leads him before the King.) 

King Cotton : Base murderer that thou art, what punishment 
can atone for thy foul deed! It is our order that this in¬ 
famous creature be'cast into our darkest dungeon, and that 
ere the cock shall crow he be hanged by the neck until he is 
dead. And furthermore that his son, Lord Single Crop, be 
banished from our kingdom forever. 


{Captain of the Guard leads both away.) 

Speculation: Fair is foul, 

And poor is rich. 

Sooner or later 
We’re all in a ditch. 


King Cotton : Take heed, fool, or thou shalt be the next 

Speculation: Fools may die, 

But over night 
Comes another 
In like plight. 


King Cotton : Thou speakest oft like a wise man, and we 
pardon thee for thy present folly, but beware. {Fool skips 
aside with a laugh.) And now, my dear Prince, we shall 
place upon thee the responsible duties of the high office of 
Prime Minister and in thy keeping the happiness of our 
lovely daughter. Long may Diversification rule in the realm 
of King Cotton, attended always by Prosperity. 

{Dance of the Spinners.) 


Finale 


Singing of Dixie by the entire company. 


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All rights for production of this 
pageant are reserved by the author, 
H. J. Pearce, Gainesville, Ga. 
Privilege to produce may he ob¬ 
tained for a reasonable fee. The 
pageant may be presented either 
on a stage or in any open place 
such as a school campus. 

Costumes for all the principal 
characters and other accessories 
may he rented from the Howard 
Costume Co., Gainesville, Ga. 

If desired a director competent 
to coach the characters and direct 
the pageant may be engaged 
through Brenau College, Gaines¬ 
ville, Ga. 





















